Amsterdam Coffeeshop Directory Forums

15 May
No plans
Matthew, this year's awesome Australian
'Toughen up, Cunt'
'Just been back to Bulgaria'


16 May

Paradiso - 19:30 John Moreland


Love the extremely chill crowd. If there are people
above me I always look up ... just in case ...
Interesting view when I did


17 May

Paradiso - 19:30 Mew
To me they sounded somewhere between Fleet Foxes and The Silver Sun Pickups.
Great energy and video/ight show.


18 May

Boom Chicago - 20:00 Best of Boom
Improv is hit or miss
no hard feeling on this one, the improv part kind of missed
This piece was funny - Mogelijk of Niet Mogelijk - Think of it as a Dutch word version of 3 card monty - No non native can win


Surprise visit from niece from Norway! Hadn't seen her in 16 years~!!


I finally got to meet her boyfriend and we bonded and had a great time.
Gave them a tour of the red lights and then the blue lights.
Drunken Uncle.




Dropped A LOT of Euros this night but OH SO WORTH IT!

19 May

Dinner with Sandra and Pip out east - So nice to be invited into a Dutch home!

I THINK this was also the day that I was really stoned and walking back to the hotel and
I heard a girl giving a tour in Portugeuse and I thought, 'wow, that girl sounds like Ester from the Bulldog.'
Then I saw her and thought, 'wow, that girl looks like Ester from the Bulldog.'
Then Ester from the Bulldog said 'Hello Ed, it's me Ester'

'You read my mind'


So glad to have finally met DLN, and to hang with you. Dab Evangelical Batavia is an uber cool location!
Wouldn't DLD (as in DAB be more accurate?


20 May

No plans

Pannenkoekenbot later now just chilling in that wonderful way I love so much

Later on the roof deck ...


Most Iconic Image So Far:

spidergawd wrote: ↑Fri 19th May 2017 08:21 pm Really enjoying you travel tales Ed, please keep em coming, and like CC has said Batavia is a gem. Good friendly staff, a good selection of beers and Jenever etc. excellent quality and value grub (dont have to move far when the munchies kick in, and it's been a long day). And of course the descent into the infamous cave of iniquity itself.

Party on kids.

Thanks Mate

Great last day post WITH PICTURES lost

Will redo soon

Great last day

Night going strong

Great pics and posts! Wife and I are strongly considering the Sylvan Esso concert in October. I was happy to see pics from the interior of Paradiso.

Keep the fun going!

Now back home, but my last post got eaten by the great Bulldog Wifi monster.

Last full day - Saturday May 20

I've had great weather, but on this Pancake boat day, a very heavy shower
moves in over Amsterdam in the morning as I commence my re-boot process.
I am thankful that the Bulldog Energy Shop constructed a collapsible umbrella
with heating lamps, it's like winter again.


I finish my joints and liquids and move inside for a while. The music
in the lounge is real hit or miss - today it's a hit with GNR rocking ...


Off toward Centraal Staion now to catch the ferry. Some Dutch dude stumping for
the 'Dieren' Animal Rights party mistakes me for a local (good), but then directs me onto the wrong
ferry (bad). I didn't realize until I crossed and asked but it all worked out in the end.


It's very quiet across the Ij so I took advantage of one of the outside urinals.
I posted the photo to FB with a comment about how civilized people urinate in public.
A short time later, two of my Bulldog friends vacationing in Greece send me a teaser.


When I returned to Centraal I saw the same Animal Rights dude. I let him know politely which was the correct
ferry to the Pancake Boat, and we had a nice chat. Undoubtedly the fantastic cannabis I am madly consuming is
not helping with these misdirected adventures, but they are fun and filled with joy.

The weather has cleared up and while I wait for the ferry I catch a beautiful boat passing.


Aboard the correct ferry now, I am treated to the site of boats out on the Ij under sail power, with the Boathotel in the
background.


Then as we approach the pier, there is what appears to be a German U-boat.
Reminder to self: Research Amsterdam Submarine



Finally! The Pancake Boat! It begins raining again, so I am thankful there is a covering over their waiting area.
They let us in early, and my table is right by the door.
More than a few attractive woman board and there are also families with small boys - jongen


It's really an awesome experience, the staff are super friendly
Pancakes are lined up in vertical racks for the taking.
Bacon
Apple
Plain
More toppings than I could have imagined.
Two was all I could muster, they were delicious. I added brie and apple sauce to my apple pancake. The bomb.
I also had a hot chocolate and followed it with a Dutch Coffee.
Nice thing about this boat for the kids is they have the hole of the ship set up as a ball pit with a slide. It was a lot of fun watching those kids and it made me wish I was smaller!

Now back across the Ij. The skies are clearing and I spot a large ocean liner departing Amsterdam.


Meanwhile, my ex-colleague Olga is texting me about meeting up for dinner. She will bring her
husband and daughter, we plan on meeting at Vapiano in the Rembrantplein.
My hot tooth is acting up so I stop in a pharmacy in Centraal and buy 400mg Ibuprofen gel
caps and Sensodyne Mouthwash. I rush back to the hotel for a treatment and realize it is the
foot pounding on pavement that is making the tooth worse. I communicate I am running late,
she lets me know that she is running even later. I make my way up to Vapiano but find it closed.


The sun is now setting providing a nice view of people finding a closed restaurant and dealing with it joyfully.


The Ibuprofen is helping now, and Olga and family show up! We decide to go to the other Vapiano.
It's 'close' (insert heavy Dutch accent), and off we go. Their daughter Elenka is tots adorbs!! She is almost
four and would really rather be carried but Mom and Dad are pretty insistent that she walks. Very cute. Not
so good for my tooth though and too many ibuprofen way too often now.

We walk all the way across the Ij to Vapiano and it is PACKED!! It takes me 25 minutes to get my
pasta, but I have a nice conversation with a young man on line in front of me.

When I finally get back, Olga tells me Elenka was worried about 'the man from America'. Cute.
I bought two pasta plates and I am glad I did. Their pizza was finished and Elenka found more
hunger and a new love for Bolognese!

It's getting a bit later than I had planned now 10:30 so I suggest we call it an evening. We get a nice
photo on the walk back toward their scooter and my hotel.


When we get to the Niewmarket we part ways, they on the east side of the Kloveniersburgwal, and me on the west.
One final pic from Olga as they walk home. By now I've ducked into Greenplace for provisions


Now back to the Bulldog
Mouth maintenance and prep
for a long,
crazy,
beautiful
Amsterdam Saturday night on the
Oudezijd Voorburgwal 216
The very epicenter
of
Mijn Mekka

The Genever and Eua De Ma Tante are ideal medicines for my throat, mind and tooth. I pop between the lobby
for a roll and a drink and the outside for a smoke.
I really love that period just after the coffeeshops all close.
So many interesting human encounters!
One after the other they come.
'They're closed. They ALL close at 1 a.m.'
Some don't or won't believe and move on. Most don't even notice the Dutch man selling cannabis in front of the door.
'Ven dey closch, I OPEN.'
Inside again for another roll, from the lounge a beautiful girl approaches Francesco at the front desk.
'Is there a coffeeshop open now?"
"All Coffeeshops closed at 1. You can buy from the dealer in front next door, but surely, a girl as beautiful as you
only has to ask someone, no?
She bounces back happily.
God how I love this place.

Around 3 I am about the only ghost left. I ease into my bed and sleep that unique, uber sound sleep...
that can ONLY be found...
in that wonderful Bulldog cocoon...

Last day - Sunday May 21

All good things must come to an end, last day.

I slept soundly for about 6 hours but am
pretty groggy as I begin my final reboot.

Once more, the ample Bulldog inclusive breakfast is all but lost on me but I do manage a nice glass of water and OJ
Then onto their awesome Dutch coffee and melk

Coffee and joints
Fresh mint tea and joints
Water with gas and joints

I see Matthew before he is off to Volendam to meet his friends, he looks pretty snazzy but of course I miss the photo opp.

After I while, I treat myself to an English Breakfast



I meet brothers Primo and Daniel from Montreal. This is Daniels first trip They wind up with my unused hash and Eau De Ma Tante as a warm welcome to the wonder that is Amsterdam

Before long, it is time to go in, check out and say my goodbyes.


Once again, exponentially better than the last trip. Amazing. So good to meet 'DLN' and discover the Batcave.

No real regrets. Didn't get the "17" added to my tattoo but I can catch that up next time. Missed the free noon
concert but had a blast just staying put. As usual, I do regret missing some amazing photo opportunities. The best
one was DLN's arrival at Sound Garden by boat. 9 foot? dingy with 2 guys and a bike. Captain wearing only shorts, a captains
hat, and a pigs nose.

Classic Amsterdam photo opp lost.

God willing, next year.

gromit wrote: ↑Thu 18th May 2017 01:50 am

ed the head wrote: ↑Wed 17th May 2017 09:33 pm

gromit wrote: ↑Wed 17th May 2017 02:49 pm i guess you forgot your camera,...

exactly,...

Check it friend, updated with photos

What a splendid trip and a colourful travelogue. Cheers Ed

ed the head wrote: ↑Mon 22nd May 2017 11:56 am

gromit wrote: ↑Thu 18th May 2017 01:50 am

ed the head wrote: ↑Wed 17th May 2017 09:33 pm

exactly,...

Check it friend, updated with photos

you rocked it out bro,..

Great travelogue and definitely lived up to the countdown. Time to start a new countdown!

ed the head wrote: ↑Mon 22nd May 2017 09:01 am ...
Then as we approach the pier, there is what appears to be a German U-boat.
Reminder to self: Research Amsterdam Submarine

http://www.comtourist.com/history/b-80-submarine/


The Soviet Project 611 or Zulu V class submarine B-80, recently renamed Foxtrot can be found in the Maritime Quarter in Amsterdam North. The Foxtrot used to be a Museum ship in the Dutch Navy port of Den Helder. It was brought to the Netherlands by submarine enthusiasts. Exploitation was probably to expensive and the submarine was sold and is now in use as party location. Unfortunately was the interior dismantled and all original instruments were taken out to make room for it’s new purpose. The Foxtrot can not be visited, it can only be rented as party ship. It lay’s at rest in the middle of the harbour so it is not easy to get close or have a look on the ship. Comtourist visited the Foxtrot with our boat to photograph it from close and even inside the sail.

LLMReb wrote: ↑Mon 22nd May 2017 04:26 pm Great travelogue and definitely lived up to the countdown. Time to start a new countdown!

+1 that was a great one Ed, thanks a lot!

You beat me with the submarine, was about to write that it was too big and modern to be a U-Boat, and that it looked Russian with the windows in the command sail. Fast research there, might want to go have a peak at that when we are back

Knowing Nugs and Mokum well that image of him and his friend arriving is easy to picture, must have been a grand sight!

CC

CopenhagenCouple wrote: ↑Mon 22nd May 2017 06:39 pm

LLMReb wrote: ↑Mon 22nd May 2017 04:26 pm Great travelogue and definitely lived up to the countdown. Time to start a new countdown!

+1 that was a great one Ed, thanks a lot!

You beat me with the submarine, was about to write that it was too big and modern to be a U-Boat, and that it looked Russian with the windows in the command sail. Fast research there, might want to go have a peak at that when we are back

Knowing Nugs and Mokum well that image of him and his friend arriving is easy to picture, must have been a grand sight!

CC

Absolutely KILLER
so disappointed I missed it with the camera!!

I keep remembering bits and pieces and adding photos, should be about done in 354 days when I go back

LLMReb wrote: ↑Mon 22nd May 2017 04:31 am Great pics and posts! Wife and I are strongly considering the Sylvan Esso concert in October. I was happy to see pics from the interior of Paradiso.

Keep the fun going!

In the PRO column:
Beautiful Venue (converted church)
Excellent sound
Excellent lighting
Excellent views from floor, 1st and 2nd balconies
Excellent chill Dutch crowd
In the CON column:
Membership required for each person - E15

The above is good for a whole year, but if your only going to one show it doubles your cost. That's why I try to go to two. Something for you to consider, especially if you're budgeting for two.

Interesting note on how chill Paradiso can be: I really wanted to see Moreland but I purchased the Mew and a Membership first and bought Moreland from TicketSwap because it was sold out. They let me use my 'Mew" purchased membership even though it didn't start until the next calendar day. Pretty cool.

great report, Ed. i dig your style.
boom chicago can be hit or miss... i've been there when a dutch audience
member stood up, mid-performance, and complained about the quality of the humor.
that was funny... price-of-admission funny. a biertje on a sunny day
at their outdoor seating on the leidseplein is very nice. and that's where we used
to meet for the work boat tour... http://www.amsterdamboatclub.com

legal rec weed here in portland, oregon has diluted my urgency to canna-tour,
but yours, along with these other recents, have reminded me that amsterdam
itself is something to savor in its own right. while being high as a kite, of course.

proost